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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/1979 Meeting M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL - June 27, 1979 Adjourned meeting from June 25, 1979, of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor Mayor Gus Keller at 11:45 a.m., Council Chambers, with the following Councilors present: Betty Smith, D. W. Hamel, Jack Delay, Eric Haws, Scott Lieuallen, Brian Obie, Gretchen Miller, and Emily Schue. 1. ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL A. Report From Natural Resources Steering Committee, National League of Cities--Mr. Delay reported on action taken at the NLC Steering Commit- tee June 22 and 23, 1979. Part of the meeting dealt with local involvement in state planning. Major action involved current energy legislation. A resolution will be presented at the meetings of LOC and AOC in November 1979. The Committee supported a 70-percent windfall tax passed by the House. It was recommended that the tax revenues be used for resources that will directly reduce the demand for oil. In other action, the Committee adopted a resolution to halt licensing of construction and operation of new nuclear plants until a thorough examination has been made of the questions raised regarding - waste disposal, safety, plant design, siting, etc. B. Budget Measures, Outcome of Election Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Mr. Lieuallen, that the November ballot reflect the two alternative property tax relief measures , previously developed, and recommended by the Budget Committee, i.e., the property transfer tax and a gross receipts business tax. Mr. Delay said that the motion will alert the public to their options several months prior to the election. If the motion passes, he requested that council bills be brought back to the next Council meeting. Councilors Schue, Haws, and Miller expressed concern about the short- range problem and favored the motion. Ms. Smith feels that the Task Force should handle the matter, and Mr. Obie thinks that the Budget Committee should first review and comment on the matter. He feels that the motion would jeopardize the next budget election. He suggested that Council move together with the Budget Committee in order to prevent an atmosphere of confrontation. e 6/27/79--1 352. Mr. Delay and Mr. Haws said that, since the Budget Committee recom- mended the two tax revenues, the confrontation would not occur. They feel that the budget will stand and pass on its own merits. e Mayor Keller will not support the alternatives offered by Mr. Delay. He feels that the Budget Committee should not begin with this decision from Council, that perhaos the matter should be surfaced there. He is not sure that the voters want property tax relief, and he expressed a concern for the small public turnout today. Ms. Miller and Mr. Delay feel that the motion is meant to separate the budget issue from the tax relief issue, that the Budget Committee's only concern should be with the budget itself, and that it also allows the community more options. Vote was taken on the motion, which carried, all Councilors present voting aye except Mr. Hamel, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Obie voting no. C. Community Cooperation With Interagency Rape Team--Mr. Lieuallen said that at least one community group has expressed a desire to assist victims of rape and assault and would like to improve the relations with the Interagency Rape Team. With Council's approval, the Police Department will offer assistance and support to the community groups. Ms. Miller encouraged the program. Ms. Smith requested that Council receive a report on the structure of the program and a follow-up report on its progress. D. Income Tax Rebate and Property Tax Bill--Mr. Lieuallen said that the -_ citizens need technical assistance to complete forms and to establish eligibility for income tax rebates. He will join with others and conduct a clinic in late July at senior citizen centers. There will be a planning session Monday, July 2, at 12:00 in the McNutt Room. E. Business Licenses--Ms. Miller suggested that, when an owner of a business is told by the City that he doesn't need a license, he should then be referred to the Planning Department for possible zoning problems, etc. F. Approval of Economic Development Committee Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve formation of the EDC Committee, as outlined in the information distributed by staff. Mr. Lieuallen questioned the definition of "small business," as referred to in the packet distributed. Manager said that a small business is classified as 25 employees or fewer. Roll call vote. Motion carried unanimously. 6/27/79--2 . 353 G. Announcements--Manager - Manager reviewed election statistics. ~'.. Budget Committee meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. involving changes in budget and tax levy, and the date of the budget election, which will be either August 14 or September 18. Vacation schedules are needed from Councilors in order for Manager to set up the meeting schedule. He said he will be on vacation next week. H. Aging Commission Appointment Harriet Waddy has not been attending Aging Commission meetings and has missed three meetings, thereby becoming eligible for removal from the Commission. The Aging Commission requests Ms. Waddy be replaced with alternate Elizabeth Boyington. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to remove Ms. Waddy from the Commission, and appoint Elizabeth Boyington to fill the unexpired term. Motion carried unanimously. 1. Kakegawa Delegation The delegation from Kakegawa will be in Eugene August 2, 3, and 4, and it was the consensus of the Council that a dinner and/or reception be - planned on Thursday evening, August 2, 1979. J. Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines requested one representative from Council to attend their reception and dinner, plus the first flight arrival on Sunday. Manager requested that any Councilor who is available should contact him. II. ROUTINE ITEMS FOR COUNCIL APPROVAL A. Minutes of June 13, 1979, and Improvement Petition Res. No. 3179--Paving Berntzen from Pattison to Concord (Job No. 1772) was read by number and title. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve minutes of June 13, 1979, and to adopt the resolution. Motion carri ed unanimously. e 6/27/79--3 35Jf III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Alle Vacation Ra and e Map distributed Recommended by Planning Commission April 9, 1979, by a unanimous vote. Manager said that the easement is a vacation of a 14-foot alley, but the retention of a public utility easement for the entire area. Public hearing was opened. Mr. Ray Ralls testified in favor of the alley vacation. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. CB 1719--Authorizing alley vacation located north on 2nd Avenue, west of Taylor Street, was read by council bill number and title only, there being no Councilor present requesting that it be read in full. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. The motion carried unanimously and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be approved e and given final passage. Roll call vote. All Councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18429. IV. ADOPTING THE 1979-80. CITY OF EUGENE BUDGET Manager said that the property tax revenues beyond the six percent limitation are subject to voter approval. The budget must be adopted at this time. Future modifications to the budget can occur. Historically, the budget has been approved at the end of June; then adjustments, if any, are made later, Assistant Manager said. CB 1918--Adopting the budget, making appropriations, determining and levying the annual tax for the City of Eugene for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1979, and ending June 30, 1980, and declaring an emergency, was read by title and number only, there being no Councilor present requesting that it be read in full. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be read the second time by council bill number only, with unanimous consent of the Council, and that enactment be considered at this time. Motion carried unanimously and the bill was read the second time by council bill number only. - 6/27/79--4 355 Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the bill be approved - and given final passage. Roll call vote. All Councilors present voting aye, the bill was declared passed and numbered 18430. V. FORMATION OF REVENUE TASK FORCE (Copy of the resolution distributed) Mr. Haws hopes that the task force will look at new funding sources, and feels that staff should be able to create that list. Manager said that staff will offer their assistance. Manager changed the word "minor" under Section 2(e) of the resolution to "lesser." Res. No. 3177--Establishing a Revenue Resources Task Force, was read by number and title. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution as amended. Councilors will choose their task force member, and the names will be submitted to Mayor Keller by July 6, 1979. Vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. - VI. RESOLUTION REGARDING LANE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (Memo distributed) Manager said there was a regional planning agency in the metropolitan area before L-COG was created. Criticisms directed at L-COG mentioned duplica- tion of facilities and activities and various agencies in the area have disproved that feeling. The structure of the program also has been criti- cized. Manager feels that the COG appears to be performing satisfactorily and that, without it, local governments would lose the financial support for metropolitan planning and the ability to plan collectively would be reduced. Ms. Schue, serving on the COG board, Mayor Keller, Mr. Haws, and Mr. Obie expressed support of the resolution. There is a general feeling that the County Commissioners are also as concerned about L-COG's existence. Mr. Tom Jenkinson, Director of Lane Council of Governments, expressed appreciation for the City's continued support of L-COG. Res. No. 3178--Affirming the City's Support of the Continuation of Lane Council of Governments, was read by number and title. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to adopt the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. e 6/27/79--5 356 VII. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL POSITION WITH RESPECT TO LANE COUNTY ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION ISSUES (Memo distributed) - A. Economic Improvement Commission EIC has requested that it be separated from L-COG board review, and that it operate as a separate, autonomous commission. Problems which would arise would be in the area of cost and duplication of services to EIC and to the COG. Staff recommends that Council indicate to EIe that Eugene's financial participation will be at a level of $13,000 for fiscal year '79-80, and, consequently, strongly urges that the Ele staff continue to be housed within L-COG. This recognizes that, due to budgetary constraints, Eugene's level of participation may have to be reduced further. Manager feels that City would have no advantage to EIC's independence. Mr. Lieuallen feels strongly that EIC should remain within L-COG and Ms. Miller feels that the City should be able to appoint its own lay member. Mr. Delay asked about the appointment process. Mr. Haws said that the City recommended a representative and that person was not chosen. Mr. Jim Farah said that, if the recommended $13,000 is budgeted for EIC for 1979-80, EIC's operating budget would be $35,000, an amount too low to support staffing which is not housed within L-COG. He said that the advantages for City support of the EIC are the ability for cooperative efforts in economic development; and, secondly, EDA grants e will not be considered unless there is evidence of a cooperative structure within the area. Mr. Haws asked if the federal government would accept a City-run EIC and a County-run EIC, to be housed within L-COG. Mr. Farah said that, under that structure, the COG would have to retain development of the overall economic development plan. He suggested that EIC's position with the L-COG be evaluated after a year. Councilors Lieuallen, Delay, Obie, and Haws agreed that the EIC should stay within the COG for a year, and be reviewed at the end of the year. They feel that there should be some benefit to the City before they commit themselves to the COG indefinitely. Mr. Haws moved, seconded by Mr. Delay, that, since the City's resolution is terminating, City recommends to L-COG that no position has been taken on the continuance of EIC; that City will support EIC for a year if it remains a part of L-COG, and that City will appoint its own lay member. Motion carried unanimously. - 6/27/79--6 351 ~ . B. . Manager said that the City is disappointed that EDA funding for the convention center is Priority 3, and feels that a request should be made to move it to a No. 1 priority. Mr. Jim Farah said that the requested $1.4 million is fifty percent of the total estimated cost of the convention center facility. He feels that the cultural and economic effects of the convention center will be far-reaching for the entire county, as well as outside the county. Mayor Keller asked that the Council request Ms. Schue to lobby, making a strong presentation, and do everything in her physical and mental power to move the item to a No. 1 priority. He said that the process a year ago failed because City was told that if they were priority 1, 2, or 3, there was a strong possibility for funding, but, shortly thereafter, they were informed that no priority 2, 3, or 4 project had ever received funding. Mr. Haws left the meeting. Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, to inform L-COG that the City requests that EDA funding for the Eugene Convention Center be a No. 1 priority. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Lieuallen left the meeting. e MISCELLANEOUS A. Manager's Salary Increase Mr. Delay moved, seconded by Ms. Smith, that the City Manager's salary be increased by six-and-one-half percent, effective July 1, 1979. Motion carried unanimously. Items IX and X of the agenda are to be carried over to the July 9 meeting. Item VIII will not receive action today because all payments have not been received. Upon motion duly made, seconded, and passed, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, ~ ) Charles T. Henr City Manager SG:pm/CM7aI5 - 6/27/79--7 3~